This vindictive narrative, likely driven by the UAE's strategic interests in the region and recognition of its unpopularity due to its destructive foreign policy, falsely claims a significant ISIS expansion in Puntland, Somalia.
However, the evidence provided relies on outdated data and questionable sources.
Let's dissect these exaggerated claims.
The article suggests a growing ISIS presence in Puntland, yet their own data shows a stagnant force of around 300 fighters, unchanged since 2015.
Relying on unreliable sources like the obscure "Somali Digest" blog and outdated articles from 2016 undermines the credibility of their narrative and reveals a lack of insight into Somalia's evolving landscape.
Misrepresenting the cause of the rift between Mogadishu and Puntland, and falsely attributing it as a reason for ISIS gaining a foothold in the region, contradicts the reality that ISIS has existed since 2015, and their situation has not changed.
Labeling Sanaag as disputed territory distorts the truth—Sanaag is part of Puntland and participated in recent elections, challenging the narrative of instability.
Baseless fear mongering about foreign fighters migrating to Somalia ignores Somali intolerance for imported terrorists, heightening unfounded anxieties.
Part of the UAE's broader strategy in Africa, interventions in Libya, Yemen, and Sudan echo neocolonial tactics to dominate the region under the guise of counter-terrorism.
Misleading portrayals of Somali sentiment—more anti-UAE than anti-Western—underscore UAE's disconnect from the region's realities. Drawing parallels to Ethiopia's exaggeration of the ICU threat highlights the dangers of such narratives, acknowledged by the international community.
UAE's attempt to distort reality in Puntland for geopolitical gain must be recognised—an unsubstantiated narrative serving UAE's interests.
Debunking these claims prevents the exploitation of security concerns for foreign interventions and political agendas.
Somali people will not be swindled from their agency or future potential. UAE's attempt to petition for them without consent is misguided. Somalis did not elect UAE as their advocate, nor did they seek to politicise their colonial past for foreign agendas.